10 Tips for buying furniture online
Your furniture is a way of showing everyone who comes to your home who you are. It sets the vibe for each room. The perfect combination of furniture can define your personal style, create a comfortable place for you to live, and give a beautiful backdrop for your life.
In today's virtual world, we can buy just about anything online, including furniture. However, buying furniture online provides certain challenges. Will it fit in your space? How will it get here? Is it the right colour?
Here are ten helpful tips for the next time you buy furniture online.
Measure, Then Measure Again
The most challenging part about buying furniture online is knowing it will fit in your space. As you shop, keep a tape measure on you. If you find a piece you like, mark the measurements on the floor. This will help you see how big it really is, while also giving you a better insight to the scale of the object in your room.
Do The Research
Spending a few minutes researching the company and reading through the available information about a product will pay off big time. Do the following for a complete picture of the product before you buy:
Read reviews
Check the returns policy
Look through all the pictures
Read the Frequently Asked Questions
Read the full description
Know your rights as a customer
Double-check the colours
Order a sample of the fabric
Think About Delivery
If you buy a piece of furniture online, it has to get to you through the shipping process. Having a clear understanding of that will make the process smoother. You should know the terms of delivery, how and where it will be delivered, and when you can expect it. It’s also a good idea to look for any additional shipping charges that will be added to your order.
Find A Deal
The benefit to shopping online is that there are more opportunities to find a great deal. Sign up for email lists and look for discount codes on the company’s website. You should also get in the habit of comparing prices and shopping in the sales section. But remember: if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is.
Shop Locally
Just because you’re shopping online doesn’t mean you can’t still shop locally. Look for companies that have a brick-and-mortar store. This can give you the chance to see something in person, even if you do end up making the actual purchase online. You can also shop from private sellers. In that case, know about good haggling practices, whether flaws are fixable, and always ask the seller if they have any items for sale that they haven’t listed yet.
Know The Company
In such a competitive market, knowing who you’re buying from should become second nature. Look into the company you’re shopping with. What are their brand values and their mission? Do they have a niche? What’s their story? You will likely find there’s a company out there that not only lines up with your style, it lines up with your values, as well.
Finding The Perfect Piece
Unsure of where to start your online furniture search? Try websites like Keep or Pinterest to get ideas. If you fall in love with something that doesn’t have a link to the product, try a Reverse Google Image Search. You should also search for brand names when shopping with local private sellers. And setting aside time dedicated to browsing can help you go down the right rabbit hole and find the perfect piece for you.
Choosing Your Piece
Once you have a few options, you have to narrow it down to one. Consider which one best matches your personality and style. Remember to prioritise comfort before style, though. You still have to use the piece. And forget about matching everything perfectly. While your furniture should complement each other, there’s no rule that you have to have pieces that match each other exactly.
The Dos
Before you go online furniture shopping, remember these three Dos:
DO set a budget and stick to it.
DO pay using a secure, safe method
DO absolutely love what you buy
The Don’ts
If we have the Dos of online furniture shopping, there have to be some Don’ts as well:
DON’T be impulsive
DON’T buy rugs online (it’ll never turn out how you think)
DON’T make a purchase on public wifi
DON’T forget vat may be payable on top
If you would like further support for your interior design project, get in touch, and we’d be more than happy to help you.